Boat launching apparatus



Aug. 20, 1963 G. P. HURST BOAT LAUNCHING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1961 J 1 3m w 5 MU V l 1 m M I mP l I a H II I I :I R A I H IMH HH HHI HJI IU l lu l w W m: 5 X/ A) mm mm m mm mm 6 Q G. P. HURST BOAT LAUNCHING APPARATUS Aug. 20, 1963 Filed June 30, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE R HURS T 5714, 7110-4101. Ll/"J ATTORNEYS Aug. 20, 1963 e. P. HURST BOAT LAUNCHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June so, 1951 United States Patent Filed time so, 1%1, Ser- No. 121,034 s Claims. c1. 2l2r-2li) This invention relates to boat launching apparatus of the type shown in US. Letters Patent No. 3,047,159, issued July 31, 1962 to myself and Mowatt M. Hurst.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a boat launching apparatus that is more economical to make and to install than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a boat launching apparatus that enables reaching a greater area on land for picking up and delivering boats than heretofore.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of boat launching apparatus of the type shown in said copending application that enables boats to be carried to and from the water in launching position from an initial position over the land at right angles to the said launching position, and which position over the land may be at different distances from the water.

' Briefly described, the present invention does not employ a turntable, but provides structure for safely and quickly lifting a boat from a trailer or the like that is parallel with the shore line, and which structure comprises a carriage suspended from trolleys on a pair of overhead tracks. The carriage is pulled by a cable connected with a power actuated drum in a direction toward the water. During movement toward a position over the water the carriage automatically turns to swing the boat to the correct launching position in which its longitudinal axis is substantially at right angles to the shore line.

The reverse action is one in which the boat, which is at substantially right angles to the shore line, is lifted from the water and is pulled by the same cable above mentioned to a position over the land, and during this movement the boat automatically turns to a position substantially parallel with the shore line so as to be lowered onto a trailer or the like.

Heretofore, as soon as the boat has turned to a position parallel with the shore line, it could not be moved by said cable to a further distance from the water in the same position of the boat, which restricted its loading and unloading operation to one position on the shore, unless expensive and relatively complicated means were employed.

With the present invention the boat supporting carriage may be moved any desired distance (according to the length of the supporting track) after it is parallel with the shore line, by pulling on the same cable, and this is accomplished by simple yet reliable and economical means.

The provision of structure adapted to accomplish the above mentioned result is the main object of the invention. 1

Other objects and "advantages will appear in the description and in the drawings.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified side elevational view of the boat launching apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the boat launching apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the tracks of the boat launching of FIG. 1 showing the main carriage in position over the land and parallel with the shoreline;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing a portion of the carriage moving between the position of 2 FIG. 3 and a position at right angles to the shore line;

and,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as seen generally from line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

In detail, the present invention comprises a pair of tracks 1, 2 that extend horizontally, one of their end portions being positioned over the land while the other of their end portions is over the water onto which boats are to be launched.

The track 1 is straight from end to end and is of l-beam construction providing a pair of lowercoplauar flanges projecting oppositely outwardly from the lower edge of the web on which trolley wheels of a boat supporting carriage are adapted to be supported. 1 The track 2 (FIG. 2) is parallel with and closely adjacent to the track 1, and in sideby side relation to the latter along the end portions of the tracks where they extend over the water. These end portions of tracks 1, 2 may be called their outer end portions. The track 2 is of the same I beam construction as track 1.

The intermediate portion of track 2 is indicated by the numeral 3, and this intermediate portion curves away from track 1, but in the same horizontal plane as that in which track 1 is disposed, and the inner end portion of track 2 then continues parallel with track 1, as at 4. Both tracks 1, 2, may terminate at substantially the same distance from their outer ends.

The parallel inner end portions of tracks 1, 2 are over the land and a plurality of trailers or trucks carrying boats may be positioned in side by side relation under said inner end portions in positions extending transversely of the lengths of said inner end portions.

Pairs of posts 5, 6 (FIG. 1) on the land may support parallel side frame members 7 (FIG. 2) at their upper ends. A cross frame member 8 may extend between the inner ends of the frame member 7, while a cross frame member 9 may extend between frame members 7 at approximately the upper ends of posts 6. The frame members 7 continue past posts 6 over the water and may be connected at their outer ends by a cross member 10 beyond which terminating end portions 11 of members 7 extend to meeting relation where they are secured together.

The outer parallel end portions of tracks. 1, 2 are slightly offset to one side of a medial line between frame members 7 and extend parallel from the meeting ends of the portions 11 of frame members 7 below cross member iii, to which they are secured, to and below cross member 9 with which they. are also connected. At approximately cross member 9 the portion 3 of'track 2 extends across the. widest space between the tracks and the side frame members to below one of the side frame members, and the inner end portion of track 2 then continues I to cross frame member 8.

A vertical inverted V-shaped standard 12 may extend upwardly from the upper ends of posts 6 to an apex from which rods 13 may extend to the inner ends of frame members 7, while outer rods 14 may extend to cross member 10 at a point over tracks 1, 2 and to the meeting ends of end portions 11. Any other suitable bracing and supports may be used, it being understood that the inner end portions of tracks 1, 2 may extend over the land past cross frame 8 and posts 5. p

Y The above supporting and bracing structure is important in that it combines strength with economical structure, and also, the arrangement of the posts and tracks is such that a boat to be launched may swing to a position through the space between posts 5, 6 on one side that is approximately the length of a boat, While another boat is in. said space extending transversely of the tracks. In other words, while one boat is in a position alongside the posts 5, and between posts 5, 6, and which boat is as long as the space between posts 5, 6, another boat of equal length may be automatically moved to a position alongside the first boat. This relation between tracks 1, 2 and the supporting frame permits the accomplishment of this result as will later appear.

Suspended from track 1 is a horizontally elongated beam 16 (FIG. 1) having pairs of trolley wheels 17 at its forward and rear ends supported on the lower flanges 18 of said track 1. The forward ends or any stnucture in the invention is the end over or directed generally toward the water 19 (FIG. 1) or outer end of tracks 1, 2, while the rear ends are the ends directed generally toward the land side 20 or inner ends of tracks 1, 2.

Similarly suspended from track 2 is a relatively short horizontal beam 21 having forward and rear pairs of trolley wheels 22 (FIG. 3).

The detailed structure of the Wheels 17 and hangers shown in FIG. 5 (for suspending beam 16 would be substantially the same, each including U-shaped hangers 23 extending under and secured to the ends of the respective beams.

Intermediate the ends of beam 16 is a vertical pivot 26 (FIGS. 1, 3, 5) (from which one end of the main carriage 27 of the boat carrier is suspended (FIG. 1) and intermediate the ends of the shont beam a similar vertical pivot 28 is connected with the opposite end of the carriage 27. These pivots 26, 28 are substantially centrally between the sides of the carriage 27 so the latter is substantially balanced at opposite sides of the pivots, and the pivots enable the carriage to swing relative to the beams.

The carriage 27 is similar to the carriage shown in said copending application, having power actuated drums 30 (FIG. 3) carried at one of its ends, each drum carrying two cables. One cable 31 from each drum extends directly downwardly to connect with one of the ends of a horizontally disposed rectangular sling frame 32 (FIG. 1) while another cable 33 from each drum extends over a sheave 34 (FIG. 3) to the other end of the sling frame. Slings 35 are adapted to extend from the ends of the sling frame below the bow and stern ends of the boat 36 to be lifted. Upon actuation of the drums in one direction the sling frame with the boat suspended therefnom will be lifted and upon actuation of the drum for rotation in the opposite direction the boat will be lowered.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the long beam 16 carries a cross arm 38 rigid therewith, one end portion 39 projecting a substantially further distance to one side of the beam 16 than the other arm 46 This cross arm is an angle iron one side extending vertically and the other side being horizontal and the vertical side is recessed to receive the beam 16 (FIG. 5).

The cross arm 38 is at right angles to the beam 16 and crosses the latter at a point spaced from the pivot 26 at the forward side of the latter, or at the side nearest to the outer ends of tracks 1, 2, (FIG. 3).

The end portion of the carriage 27 that is below the cross arm 38 is provided with a horizontal cover plate 41 (FIG. 3) and between the outer ends of the beam 16 adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the pairs of wheels 17, the beam 16 carries wheels 42 that project below the beam and that are rotatable about horizontal axes that are parallel with the beam. These wheels are adapted to roll on the plate 41 upon the carriage pivoting about pivot 26. These wheels 42, as will later appear, function to stabilize the carriage 27 during movement of the latter relative to the beam 16.

Connected to the short end of arm 38 adjacent to the beam 16 is one end of what could be termed an endless cable 43 that extends oppositely from the connection 44 with the arm 40 to and over a sheave 45 at the outer ends of tracks 1, 2 and back to a motor driven as at the inner end of track 1 and then back to a point 44 FIGS. 1, 3).

A motor 47 may drive the drum 46 in one direction or i the other according to whether a boat is to be launched or to be carried from the water to the land.

The drum 46 may include any desired friction arrangement of pulleys to prevent slippage as is shown in detail in said copending application, although the drum 46 is adequate insofar as the present invention is concerned.

Assuming the carriage and beams 16, 21 are in the position seen in FIGS. 1, 2 in which a boat 36 is suspended from the carriage for moving the boat to the land. The motor 47 is actuated to tension the length of cable between drum 46 and the point 44 on the cross arm 38. The carriage with the boat suspended therefrom will move on the straight outer lengths of tracks 1 and 2 with the boat extending normal to the shore line.

As soon as the trolley 21 reaches the divenging portion 3 of track 2 it will follow said track, pivoting, the carriage on pivots 26, 28 and the bow of the boat, which is below the short beam, will be automatically swung to pass between posts 5, 6 that are below side frame member 77, (FIG. 4).

As soon as the trolley 21 (beam 21) reaches the straight inner end portion 4 of track 2, the boat will extend at right angles to its initial position, and the cross arm 38 will be parallel with the (longitudinal axis of the carriage 27. When this point is reached, a latch bow 50 having a latch hook 51 at one end will automatically hook over the free end edge of the long end 39 of cross member 33 while a vertical plate 52 secured on carriage 27 adjacent to the latch hook will abut the other side of the outer end of arm 39. Thus the arm 39 will be locked to the carriage, and upon triction pulling of cable 43 the carriage and trolley 16 (long beam 16) will move together as a unit to the dotted position 53 of boat 36 (FIG. :1) or to any distance desired it the tracks 1, 2 are lengthened.

The locking of the trolley beam 16 with the carriage 27 enables the accomplishment of the above result, together with the fact that the trolley beam is relatively long, and the arm 39 is also of substantial length.

During the swinging of the boat, the wheels 42 will stabilize any tendency of the carriage 27 to rock on pivots 26, 28.

Latch arm 50 is pivoted intermediate its ends at 54 (FIG. 3) to a bracket 55 that, in turn, is secured to plate 41 or to the carriage 27.

The end of arm Sb that is opposite to the latch hook carries a cam follower 56, that is adapted to engage a cam track 57 secured on and projecting from a laterally facing side of a horizontal bar 58 that extends between cross frame members 8, 9.

When the boat is to be launched from the dotted line position 53 the motor 47 will be actuated to tension the length of cable between point 44 and sheave 45 that is at the outer end of the tracks 1, 2 and the carriage and boat will be moved as a unit on the inner end portions of tracks 1, 2 toward the outer ends of the tracks until cam follower 56 engages cam track 57, which results in the latch hook 51 releasing the outer end of arm 39, permitting the carriage 27 to swing automatically on pivots 26, 28 back to the launching position of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the latch hook released from the arm 39 and the dot-dash line position 60 is the position of the carriage when in launching position.

The long arm 39 may be braced by any suitable brace 61, since this arm is relied upon to hold the carriage against any tendency of the trolleys to bend on tracks 1, 2 due to pulling the carriage from a point offset to one side of the pivot 26 and which point is closely adjacent to only one of the trolleys.

While the launching apparatus has been specifically described for use in launching boats, it is obviously adapted for handling other objects, and particularly horizontally elongated objects that are to be moved from one point to another, but that are at a diilerent angular position at one point from that occupied at the other point.

r The claims are intended to include apparatus that may be for such use.

The present structure otters a more economical, simple, safe, compact and reliable means for accomplishing the desired change in the positions of the articles being moved than conventional turn-table structure or other structure of which I am aware.

It is to be understood that the disclosure and detailed description relate to a preferred form of the invention, and the claims appended hereto are intended to cover changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims. For example, the employment of a stationary motor 47 and cable 43 that extends from the carriage over the motor driven drum 46 and sheave 45 provides a simple, reliable, economical means for moving the carriage for the boat or other object, and since motor 47 is preferably a two-speed motor the rate of travel of the carriage may be regulated to suit conditions and the character of the load. Obviously, one or more of the trolley wheels 17 may be motor driven or any suitable motorized friction wheel or similar drive could be mounted on the carriage, and except where otherwise specifically defined the claims are not to be restricted to any particular type of drive means.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for launching a boat from the land into the water at the shore line, comprising: a pair of elongated, generally horizontal tracks, one of the end portions of one of said tracks extending in parallel, closely adjacent relation to one of the end portions of the other of said tracks over the water and the other end portions of said tracks extending in parallel, spaced relation over the land, an intermediate portion of said other track diverging between said one end portion and said other end portion trom said one track, an elongated, boat-supporting carriage, first means suspended from said one track tor movement longitudinally of said one track and swivelly connected with one end of said carriage supporting said one end of said carriage for relative movement between said one end of said carriage and said first means about a vertical axis during said movement of said first means longitudinally of said one track, second means suspended from said other track of said pair tor movement longitudinally of said other track and swivelly connected with the other end of said carriage supporting said other end of said carriage for relative movement between said other end of said carriage and said second means about a vertical axis during said movement of said second means longitudinally of said other track whereby said carriage will be automatically moved from a first position suspended from and extending longitudinally of said one end portions to a second position extending transversely of and suspended from said other end portions of said track upon moving said carriage while suspended on said pair of tracks by said first means and said second means from said first position to said second position, releasable locking means respectively on said carriage and on said first means for locking them together upon movement or said carriage to said second position whereby said first means and said carriage will be held against said swivelling movement relative to each other when said carriage is in said second position.

2. Apparatus for launching a boat from the land into the water at the shore line, comprising: a pair of elongated, generally horizontal tracks, one or" the end portions of one of said tracks extending in parallel, closely adjacent relation to one of the end portions of the other of said tracks over the water and the other end portions of said tracks extending in parallel, spaced relation over the land, an intermediate portion of said other track diverging between said one end portion and said other end portion trorn said one track, an elongated, boatsupporting carriage, first means suspended from said one track for movement longitudinally of said one track and swivelly connected with one end of said carriage supporting said one end of said carriage tor relative movement between said one end of said carriage and said first means about a vertical axis during said movement of said first means longitudinally of said one track, second means suspended from said other track of said pair for movement longitudinally of said other track and swivelly connected with the other end of said carriage supporting said other end of said carriage tor relative movement between said other end of said carriage and said second means about a vertical axis during said movement of said second means longitudinally of said other track whereby said carriage will be automatically moved from a first position suspended from and extending longitudinally of said one end portions to a second position extending transversely of and suspended from said other end portions of said track upon moving said carriage while suspended on said pair of tracks by said first means and said second means from said first position to said second position, releasable locking means respectively on said carriage and on said first means for locking them together upon movement of said carriage to said second position whereby said first means and said carriage Will be held against said swivelling movement relative to each other when said carriage is in said second position, releasable locking means respectively on said carriage and on said first means for locking them together upon movement of said carriage to said second position whereby said first means and said carriage will be held against said swivelling movement relative to each other when said carriage is in said second position, means rigid relative to said tracks connected with said locking means for releasing said locking means from locking relation between said first means and said carriage upon movement of said carriage on said track from said second position to said first position.

3. In boat launching apparatus that includes an elongated boat supporting carriage having means suspended therefrom for carrying a boat and horizontally extending elongated overhead track means from which said carriage is suspended for movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means [from a first position of said carriage in which it extends longitudinally of said track means to a second position extending transversely of said track means and vice versa; supporting means supporting said carriage on said track means for said movement of said carriage longitudinally orf said track means and for movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position; locking means respectively on said supporting means and on said carriage automatically movable into locking relation upon movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position.

4. In boat launching apparatus that includes an elongated boat supporting carriage having means suspended there-from for carrying a boat and horizontally extending elongated overhead track means from which said carriage is suspended for movement of said carriage longi tudinally of said track means from a first position Olf said carriage in which it extends longitudinally of said track means to a second position extending transversely of said track means and vice versa; supporting means supporting said carriage on said track means for said movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means and for movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position; locking means respectively on said supporting means and on said carriage automatically movable into locking relation upon movement of said carriage from said first position to said second posi tion, and means respectively on said carriage and on said supporting means in engagement with each other at points spaced from opposite sides of said track means during said movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position stabilizing said carriage [against rocking relative to said supporting means.

5. In boat launching apparatus that includes an elongated boat supporting carriage having means suspended therefrom for carrying a boat and horizontally extending elongated overhead track means from which said carriage is suspended for movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means from a first position of said carriage in which it extends longitudinally of said track means to a second position extending tnansversely of said track means and vice versa; supporting means supporting said carriage on said track means for said movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means and for movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position; locking means respectively on said supporting means and on said carriage automatically movable into locking relation upon movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position, said supporting means including an elongated member extending longitudinally of said track means having wheels mounting it on said track means for movement of said member longitudinally of said track means; an elongated bar rigid with said member extending at right angles thereto and over said carriage when the latter is in said second position; and said locking means including said bar and a latch element on said carriage adapted to releasably engage said bar in locking relation to the latter when said carriage is moved to said second position.

6. In boat launching apparatus that includes an elongated boat supporting carriage having means suspended therefrom for carrying a boat and horizontally extending elongated overhead track means from which said carriage is suspended for movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means from a first position of said carriage in which it extends longitudinally of said track means to a second position extending transversely of said track means and vice versa; supporting means supporting said carriage on said track means for said movement of said carriage longitudinally of said track means and for movement of said carriage fnom said first position to said second position; locking means respectively on said supporting means and on said carriage automatically movable into locking relation upon movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position, said supporting means including an elongated member extending longitudinally of said track means having wheels mounting it on said track means for movement of said member longitudinally of said track means; an elongated bar rigid with said member extending at right angles thereto and over said carriage when the latter is in said second position; and said locking means including said bar and a latch element on said carriage adapted to releasably engage said bar in locking relation to the latter when said carriage is moved to said second position, and means connected with said member for pulling said supporting means on said track means longitudinally of the latter during movement of said carriage from said first position to said second position.

7. Apparatus for conveying a load from one point to another comprising: a horizontally extending generally Y-sh aped track means providing a horizontally elongated leg portion and a pair of arm portions extending divergently relative to each other from one end of said leg portion to horizontally spaced relation, means supporting said track means spaced above the load to be carried; a carriage support having a tfiorward and a rear end; spaced means on said carriage support respectively at each forward and said rear end thereof for supporting the latter on said track means for movement longitudinally thereof from a position in which said carriage support is below said leg portion with said spaced means and said front and rear ends on a line that is approximately parallel with the longitudinal axis of said leg portion to a position below said arm portion in which said spaced means and said front and rear ends are substantially on a line that extends normal to said first mentioned line whereby said carriage support will swing relative to said track means about a substantially vertical axis through approximately degrees during each movement of said carriage support between and to said positions; a carriage connected with said spaced carriage supporting means for movement with the latter, hoisting and supporting wire ropes carried by said carriage for engagement with and supporting a load from said carriage; stabilizing means respectively on said carriage and movable therewith and on one of the ends of said carriage support in engagement with each other during said movement of said carriage support and carriage about said vertical axis for stabilizing said carriage during said last mentioned movement.

8. In a construction as defined in claim 7, said spaced means at said forward and rear ends of said carriage each being a vertically disposed pivot, said stabilizing means comprising a roller and a horizontally disposed flat plate, one being carried by said carriage supports and the other being carried by said carriage with said roller being rollable against a flat side of said plate about the axis of one of said pivots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,359 Petersen Apr. 8, 1902 2,919,041 Harrison Dec. 29, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 749,585 France July 26, 1933 

1. APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING A BOAT FROM THE LAND INTO THE WATER AT THE SHORE LINE, COMPRISING: A PAIR OF ELONGATED, GENERALLY HORIZONTAL TRACKS, ONE OF THE END PORTIONS OF ONE OF SAID TRACKS EXTENDING IN PARALLEL, CLOSELY ADJACENT RELATION TO ONE OF THE END PORTIONS OF THE OTHER OF SAID TRACKS OVER THE WATER AND THE OTHER END PORTIONS OF SAID TRACKS EXTENDING IN PARALLEL, SPACED RELATION OVER THE LAND, AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID OTHER TRACK DIVERGING BETWEEN SAID ONE END PORTION AND SAID OTHER END PORTION FROM SAID ONE TRACK, AN ELONGATED, BOAT-SUPPORTING CARRIAGE, FIRST MEANS SUSPENDED FROM SAID ONE TRACK FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ONE TRACK AND SWIVELLY CONNECTED WITH ONE END OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING SAID ONE END OF SAID CARRIAGE FOR RELATVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID ONE END OF SAID CARRIAGE AND SAID FIRST MEANS ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS DURING SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEANS LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ONE TRACK, SECOND MEANS SUSPENDED FROM SAID OTHER TRACK OF SAID PAIR FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID OTHER TRACK AND SWIVELLY CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING SAID OTHER END OF SAID CARRIAGE FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID OTHER END OF SAID CARRIAGE AND SAID SECOND MEANS ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS DURING SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND MEANS LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID OTHER TRACK WHEREBY SAID CARRIAGE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY MOVED FROM A FIRST POSITION SUSPENDED FROM AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ONE END POSTIONS TO A SECOND POSITION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF AND SUSPENDED FROM SAID OTHER END PROTIONS OF SAID TRACK UPON MOVING SAID CARRIAGE WHILE SUSPENDED ON SAID PAIR OF TRACKS BY SAID FIRST MEANS AND SAID SECOND MEANS FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS RESPECTIVELY ON SAID CARRIAGE AND ON SAID FIRST MEANS FOR LOCKING THEM TOGETHER UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE TO SAID SECOND POSITION WHEREBY SAID FIRST MEANS AND SAID CARRIAGE WILL BE HELD AGAINST AND SWIVELLING MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER WHEN SAID CARRIAGE IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION. 